Killingsworth
Viking Steel
8
Killingsworth hail from the depths of the San Francisco underground, and they’re fine with that. Even trying to dig up their history has been a chore. They’re the kind of band that only the truest of the true can appreciate, old school almost to a fault – which is probably why they’re revered in the first place. Viking Steel is comprised of eight tracks of – you guessed it – Viking tales. Raping, raging, pillaging, burning, and death are all fair game here, with galloping rhythms and berserker solos to match.
Although the less-than-stellar production is perfect for this style, I don’t necessarily like it. I guess I’ve been spoiled by too many hi-fi, fancy shmancy production jobs, so sue me. Still, the band would not sound out of place on the Cruz Del Sur roster where the old school style truly thrives with the likes of Slough Feg, Widow, Pharaoh, and Crescent Shield.
One thing you have to like about these songs is that they’re all given a proper build up before really kicking into gear, most of them having anywhere from 90 seconds to two minutes of instrumental before bringing in the vocals, sucking you right into the song. The triumphant battle cry that is the title track opens the album and sets the tone for the rest of it, with its galloping riffs and fist-in-the-air sing-a-long chorus. “Servants of Deception” has a classic epic feel to it – you can almost visualize yourself on the battlefield. “Valhalla’s Gates” works on a similar level although with a faster tempo. “Cross to Bear” has a strong Iron Maiden influence, with it’s alternative soft verse/hard chorus culminating in almost two minutes of guitar solos and leads before the track ends.
There is nothing to be gained from this style except for personal satisfaction and a love of the music. Killingsworth play classic metal for classic metalheads: true to the genre, and true to themselves. It’s as simple as that. If you require innovation and groundbreaking styles, you’re looking in the wrong place. The rest of us will be at the bar.
